Radiofrequency ablation in Cardiology : Curehealth

Radiofrequency ablation in Cardiology

Radiofrequency energy is used in heart tissue to destroy abnormal electrical pathways that are contributing to a cardiac arrhythmia.

Some facts about Radiofrequency ablation:

Generally, RFA is conducted in the outpatient setting, and either local anesthetics or conscious sedation anesthesia is used for the procedure.
RFA is used in atrial fibrillation (AF), recurrent atrial flutter (Afl), supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), atrial tachycardia, Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia (MAT) and some types of ventricular arrhythmia.
RFA is also used in the treatment of people who are not eligible or do not respond to traditional therapies such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, palliative surgery, bisphosphonates or analgesic medications)
This procedure is a safe, non-surgical treatment with low risks for complications.
Radio frequency current can be used without the need for general anesthesia as it does not directly stimulate nerves or heart muscle.
A subspecialty of cardiologists are involved in RFA procedures that are performed under image guidance such as X-ray screening, CT scan or ultrasound.

Patients will be given instructions about how to prepare for radiofrequency ablation to treat heart related issues.
Drinking or eating anything should be avoided for at least six hours before the ablation.
You can take your medicines with a small amount of water.
You should not take insulin or diabetes pills until after the procedure if you have diabetes.
Stop taking aspirin or medicines containing aspirin for at least 11 days before the procedure as it can cause bleeding or slow the clotting process.
Do not wear any jewelry during the procedure.

The electrode which is energy emitting probe is at the tip of a catheter, called the ablator is placed into the heart, usually through a vein.
An area of the heart will be mapped by the practitioner to locate the abnormal electrical activity before the responsible tissue is eliminated
Radiofrequency ablation is now the standard treatment for SVT and typical atrial flutter.
The technique can also be used in AF, either to block conduction within the left atrium, especially around the pulmonary veins or to block the atrioventricular node after implantation of a pacemaker.
Ablation can also be accomplished by cryoablation in which tissue freezing is done using a coolant which flows through the catheter.
The risk of complete heart block is avoided by this, which is a potential complication of radiofrequency ablation in this condition.
However, recurrence rates with cryoablation are higher.
Microwave ablation, where tissue is ablated by the microwave energy 'cooking' the adjacent tissue have also been developed but are not in widespread use.
Ultrasonic ablation, in which a heating effect is created by mechanical vibration, or laser ablation is also developed.
The introduction of non-surgical means of renal denervation using a radiofrequency ablation catheter is useful in treating hypertension.